In Lowell's history, no one was more synonymous with basketball than Larry Cavanaugh Sr., who died in January at age 82.

After playing on a New England championship CYO team from Sacred Heart in 1949, Cavanaugh took his point guard talents to Lowell High, where he starred.

In 1953, his love affair with basketball really took off when he joined the Interscholastic Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO). He helped found the IAABO Board 95 in Lowell in 1959 and over the next several decades he officiated college and high school games throughout New England and beyond.

Memorably, he was chosen to referee games involving the legendary Patrick Ewing when the future Hall of Famer was a center at Cambridge Rindge & Latin.

He was elected Board 95 president in 1978 and four years later he began a 31-year run as rules interpreter, influencing hundreds of young referees along the way.

"He loved every minute of it," said his daughter, Donna Rafferty.

On Saturday, Cavanaugh's legacy will be honored when a court will be dedicated in his name at the Butler School, 1140 Gorham St., Lowell, not far from where he lived most of his life.

Former Lowell High Head of School Brian Martin was walking at Cawley Stadium last week when he looked over at the stone commemorating George "Mike" Haggerty, Lowell High's track coach from 1918-63.

Martin approached the stone and realized a medal had been placed on top.

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Upon closer inspection, he realized the medal was from Lowell High's recent boys championship at the All-State Meet.

"My reaction was one of pride and respect from the student athletes who understand the rich history of the LHS track program. The ribbon shows how coach David Casey has built a program based on the values that coach Haggerty set as a shining example of what the Lowell kids represent," Martin said.

Haggerty, who coached LHS for nearly five decades, has been called the father of LHS track.

An All-State championship medal was placed on the stone honoring the career of former Lowell High track coach George "Mike" Haggerty at Cawley Stadium. BRIAN MARTIN PHOTO

Thanks to Lowell's first-ever All-State outdoor championship, 10 Red Raiders qualified for New England's at the University of New Hampshire.

Last Friday, the day before the New England meet, Casey, assistant coach Scott Ouellet and volunteer coach Jim DeProfio took the LHS athletes over to Haggerty's stone.

DeProfio, the school's former athletic director, "talked about the pride and history of the program," Casey said. "We thought it was appropriate."

Casey said the visit to Haggerty's stone was well received by Lowell's athletes.

"They were quiet. They were respectful. These kids are awesome kids. They get it. I felt it was a cool thing for them, too," he said.

One of the athletes who learned of Haggerty's impact on the program was sophomore Richmond Kwaateng.

Kwaateng went out the next day and won a New England title, overcoming a slow start to capture the 100 meters in a time of 10.93 seconds. He was also a part of a 4x100 relay team with Anthony Duong, Nick Czelewicz and Andrews Bonsu that placed second.

Kwaateng also took fourth in the long jump. He is believed to be Lowell's first New England champ since Brian Gagnon won the 800 in 2005.

Casey said the kids were in awe when told that Haggerty's life spanned from the 1800's to when man first walked on the moon.

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